Synthesis, characterization and optimization of chicken bile-mediated silver nanoparticles: a mechanistic insight into antibacterial and antibiofilm activity.

The fast-growing urbanization and slow progress in the field of waste management have led to the accumulation of large quantities of animal wastes. The present work focused on the synthesis of low-cost and eco-friendly chicken bile juice-mediated silver nanoparticles (BJ-AgNP). Results reveal that bile juices have enough potentiality towards the synthesis of almost uniform sizes (average size < 50 nm) of BJ-AgNPs which remains stable for more than 6 months. Response surface methodology (RSM) successfully demonstrated the optimised condition of BJ-AgNP synthesis. Factors like concentration of salt and bile extract and temperature are significantly responsible for nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesis of nanoparticle was further characterized using UV-Vis, TEM, FESEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and EDS. The synthesised nanoparticle showed excellent bactericidal activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria with MIC and MBC of 40 and 50 µg/mL for Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-441) and 60 and 60 µg/mL for Eschecheria coli (MTCC-1687) respectively. The synthesised nanoparticle also exhibited as an antibiofilm activity against B. subtilis, with ~89% biofilm inhibition efficacy at 4 X MIC, having optimal bacterial concentration of 106 CFU/mL. Therefore, the present findings clearly demonstrated that an absolute animal waste could be a valuable ingredient in the field of therapeutic nanoscience.

Bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles for controlling dengue and filaria vectors and their characterization, as well as toxicological risk assessment in aquatic mesocosms.

The present study is focused on synthesis of silver nanoparticles from weeds and an assessment of their mosquito larvicidal efficacy. This study also presented the toxicological effects as well as the stability of these nanoparticles in aquatic mesocosms. The weed Digiteria sanguinallis was first time used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques, such as UV-VIS, TEM, FESEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and zeta potential study. The result revealed that the nanoparticles are crystalline, spherical shape with band gap 2.44 eV, and average size 18 nm. The LC50 value of synthesized AgNPs were recorded as 7.47 and 6.31 mg/L at 24 h against Cx. quinquefasciatus and A. albopictus respectively. In contrast, larvicidal activity of weed extract was insignificant against two target species. In aquatic mesocosm study, AgNPs (LC50 dose) does not alter the nature of water parameters within experimental period. However only EC % and ORP were changes because of silver ion oxidation. In biochemical parameters, only stress enzymes for animal and plant species were moderately altered under long term exposure. But glycogen, protein, and AchE of two mosquito species were significantly changed under same mesocosm setup within short exposure. Comparatively, in control mesocosm, synthesized AgNPs are naturally change their nano form within 20 days with the presence of all non-target species and pond sediment. Therefore, it can be concluded that biosynthesized AgNPs could be used as a larvicidal agent in near future with negligible effects on aquatic organisms.

Tea and its phytochemicals: Hidden health benefits & modulation of signaling cascade by phytochemicals.

Tea, one of the most widely consumed beverages, is prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. The promising health recompenses of tea have been linked to its different phenolic components, which have diverse biological characteristics. Tea also contains several flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic, theanine, etc., which are associated with anti-oxidant characteristics and a variety of health benefits. It can also lower the pervasiveness of neurological disorders as well as prevent different types of cancer, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, urinary stone, obesity, type 2 diabetes. Keeping in mind that tea helps to improve health and prevents many diseases, its consumption has been regarded as a "health-promoting habit" and current medical investigators have established the scientific basis for this concept over time. The current review provides new updated information and perspectives on the tea phytochemicals and their overall health benefits based on molecular processes, experimental studies, and clinical trials.

Exploring tea (Camellia sinensis) microbiome: Insights into the functional characteristics and their impact on tea growth promotion.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is perhaps the most popular and economic beverage in the globe due to its distinctive fragrance and flavour generated by the leaves of commercially farmed tea plants. The tea microbiome has now become a prominent topic of attention for microbiologists in recent years as it can help the plant for soil nutrient acquisition as well as stress management. Tea roots are well known to be colonized by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and many other beneficial microorganisms that boost the growth of the tea which increases leaf amino acids, protein, caffeine, and polyphenols content. One of the primary goals of rhizosphere microbial biology is to aid in the establishment of agricultural systems that provide high quantities of the food supply while minimizing environmental effects and anthropogenic activities. The present review is aimed to highlight the importance of microbes (along with their phylogeny) derived from cultivated and natural tea rhizospheres to understand the role of AMF and rhizospheric bacterial population to improve plant growth, enhancement of tea quality, and protecting tea plants from pathogens. This review also summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the diversity and profile of tea-associated bacteria. The utilization of the tea microbiome as a "natural resource" could provide holistic development in tea cultivation to ensure sustainability, highlighting knowledge gaps and future microbiome research.

Occult phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour of femur cortex causing oncogenic osteomalacia - diagnostic challenges and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Tumor induced osteomalacia (TIO) are extremely rare paraneoplastic syndrome with less than 300 reported cases. This report highlights the pitfalls and challenges in diagnosing and localizing TIO in patients with refractory and resistant osteomalacia. PATIENT AND METHODS: 41- year gentleman with 4-year history of musculoskeletal weakness and pathologic fractures presented in wheelchair bound incapacitated state of 1-year duration. Investigations were significant for severe hypophosphatemia, severe phosphaturia, normal serum calcium, reduced 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin-D, elevated ALP, elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and pseudo-fractures involving pelvis and bilateral femur. Whole body MRI and 99mTc methylene diphosphonate bone-scan were also normal. Whole body FDG-PET scan involving all 4 limbs revealed a small FDG avid lesion at lateral border of lower end of left femur (SUV max 3.9), which was well characterized on 3-dimensional CT reconstruction. Plasma C-terminal fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 was 698 RU/ mL (normal < 150 RU/ml). Wide surgical excision of the tumor was done. Histopathology confirmed mesenchymal tumor of mixed connective tissue variant. Serum phosphorous normalized post-surgery day-1. High dose oral calcium and vitamin-D was continued. FGF-23 normalized post surgery (73RU/ml). Physical strength improved significantly and now he is able to walk independently. CONCLUSION: TIO is frequently confused with normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism and vitamin-D resistant rickets/osteomalacia, which increases patient morbidity. Imaging for tumor localization should involve whole body from head to tip of digits, cause these tumors are notoriously small and frequently involve digits of hands and legs. Complete surgical removal of the localized tumor is key to good clinical outcomes.